Roma's pundits on Radio Radio have turned their attention to the home fixture against Sassuolo, with several voices stressing that three points would be vital for the squad's morale after a demanding Champions League trip. Matera said: "Against Sassuolo, three points would be important for morale, because you arrive after a Champions League trip that carries with it all of Roma's problems."
Carina was the most emphatic, saying: "Roma are doing very well: this is a match to win without if and buts. Sassuolo are in free fall, they have conceded 16 goals in their last four and they have the worst defence in the league." He added that Gollini appears unlikely to play this evening because of back pain, which he described as serious for a goalkeeper, and that Vásquez should therefore get the nod. Carina also hoped Dybala would return after the international break, adding: "If Roma don't do well, Dybala would become a front-page case. Whatever happens, Inter-Como will be a success, provided Roma take the three points."
Pruzzo said it was hard to see danger for Roma, because Sassuolo have no energy. He noted that Aquilani, who had been linked with Como, has experienced the exact opposite, and said he did not know whether Aquilani would be able to keep his job. "Roma must take advantage of this: they are not struggling to win these matches," Pruzzo said, adding: "After the cup game there is a need to play a match that allows you to win."
Orsi described the game as apparently a stroll and an opportunity to confirm what Roma are doing. He said Sassuolo, who had looked weak against Udinese, always concede goals. "Today I cannot think that Roma won't come home with the three points. If Roma play like Roma for 60 minutes, score three goals and then manage the game." On team selection, he said he would have played N'Dicka against Manchester rather than Sassuolo, but that the changes were forced and the choice was difficult. He added: "The only thing asked of Roma is to be more consistent in their performances over 90 minutes: it is hard to maintain those rhythms, but you have to pace them."
On Mancini, Aspri said: "Mancini is not there, we'll see how much this player will be missed. In my opinion his absence will be felt." Marcacci said he almost never drops N'Dicka at this stage and that, at Old Trafford, he would have started with N'Dicka, but that without Balerdi's error the conversation would be about something else. Pugliese said Mancini is important as a player, being the only one who performs the three-man back-line role Gasperini wants, and that the job is wearing, which explains some of his imperfections. He also described Mancini as fundamental psychologically, alongside Cristante, as the voice of Gasperini on the pitch. Pugliese added that Ghilardi can become the strongest defender in this Roma side, and said Balerdi is strong but occasionally suffers lapses.
Talk now turns to the Sassuolo fixture and the wider run of games that follows.
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Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in their final match before the international break, and every outlet stresses how important the three points are after the demanding trip to Manchester United. Paulo Dybala misses the game, his seventh consecutive absence, and Devyne Rensch is ruled out with a first-degree tear of the long right adductor and twenty days of rest. Pierluigi Gollini is doubtful with a back problem that also kept him out at Old Trafford, so Devis Vásquez is the favourite to start in goal.
GialloRossi.net reports that Trigoria is considering an injection to ease Gollini's pain, but pessimism prevails and the medical staff must decide whether it is wise to risk him. Forza Roma adds that Manu Koné is also doubtful and may miss France's call-up under Zidane, and says Gasperini will rely on Matías Soulé and Mora behind Donyell Malen. Mile Svilar is not expected back until play resumes after the break.
The Radio Radio pundits were broadly confident. Carina said the match must be won "senza se e senza ma" and noted that Sassuolo have conceded 16 goals in their last four games and have the league's worst defence. Pruzzo argued that Sassuolo have no energy left, while Orsi said he could not imagine Roma failing to bring home the three points, though he stressed the need for consistency over 90 minutes. Carina also said he hopes Dybala returns after the break, warning that a poor Roma result would make the Argentine a front-page story.
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